Frederick W. Gerber, Jr., 80, of Columbus died Sunday January 27, 2002 at Columbus Community Hospital. Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday; January 31, 2002 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. The Reverend Tom Weisbecker officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery with military honors by Hartman Post #84 American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation is Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home and after 6:30 p.m. at the church. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday also at the church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at McKown Funeral Home.

Frederick W. Gerber, Jr. was born December 6, 1921 in Columbus, Nebraska to Frederick W. and Frances (Schilz) Gerber. He graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and joined the United States Air Force in 1939 where he graduated from the Army Air Corp Flight School. On September 27, 1947 He was united in marriage to Virginia Warholoski at Randolph Air Force Chapel in San Antonio, Texas. While in the service Mr. Gerber was a pilot instructor & served on the Cadet Selection Team, Communication WACS, & was a Command Pilot Air-Sea Rescue in Newfoundland being stationed at several bases around the United States. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1961 earning the rank of Major. Following his retirement from service the couple lived in Columbus where he was a personnel director for Becton-Dickinson from 1961 - 1971 & also worked for Behlen Manufacturing. Mr. Gerber served as Mayor of Columbus from 1972 - 1976 and served on the Airport Authority Board. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus #938, Hartman Post #84 American Legion, V.F.W. #3704, Governor's Commission for Affirmative Action, Fifth District Court Judge Appointment Committee.